Prose, Poetry and Art Impress in Spring 2015 Genesis

After receiving an incredible number of submissions throughout the year, the staff of York’s literary magazine, Genesis, compiled a great collection of works that exhibit the creative diversity that exists within the school. Genesis is filled with 32 literary pieces and 18 pieces of art, predominantly produced by students of the upper school. Amongst the very fine talent displayed therein lay a few gems created by middle schoolers. Some of the pieces were previously performed in this year’s Out Loud Midwinter Showcase and a poem by Victoria Laboz, entitled “The Little Things,” received an honorable mention in The Scholastic Art & Writing Awards of 2015.

The editors of Genesis dedicated this year’s issue to their “mentor and role model,” English teacher Ms. Leah Umansky. Her students are quite impressed by all that she has done to help foster their literary skills. “She has worked exceptionally hard to make sure that every edition of Genesis is amazing, all while balancing many tasks like grading ‘book letters’ and binge watching Game of Thrones and Mad Men. She is an inspiration to the editors of Genesis and to everyone who has the pleasure of being her student.” The York Prep community, each student who submitted to Genesis, and the ones who edited it are thankful to both Ms. Umansky and Ms. Radeka who served as faculty advisors in the creation of this fantastic publication.

In addition to this yearly publication, Genesis also encourages young people to express themselves through their annual contest. Of all the submissions three from the upper school are chosen as the best poem, prose and piece of artwork. This year’s winners were Samantha Newmark’s poem “One Day,” Hailey Cody Corrall’s short story “Dopamine,” and Henry Binder’s photograph “Tunnel” (pictured above). Click here to see the magazine in its entirety.